Holiday Weekend: Caroling, Tree Lightings, Santa’s Secret Shoppe, Xmas in Middleburg, Briar Woods Toy Drive, Morven Park Xmas

Ashby Ponds Residents to Lead Carols at One Loudoun Tree Lighting

Two dozen residents from Ashby Ponds retirement community will be leading the holiday caroling sing-along with Santa Claus at the first annual One Loudoun Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony Saturday. Ashby Ponds is a close neighbor of the new One Loudoun development, located less than two miles away. In further partnership, the community will be staffing the Kids Craft Tent. The event runs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the Ashby Ponds carolers singing at 6:15 p.m.

Break Times for Santa at Dulles Town Center

Santa’s back! He’s actually going to be all over Loudoun, but you’ve got lots of options for catching him at Dulles Town Center. Want to know when NOT to go? Here’s when he’ll be on break.
Mon. - Fri.: 1:00pm to 2:00pm & 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Sun.: 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Dec. 23: 1:00pm to 2:00pm & 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Dec. 24: Noon to 1:00pm (Santa must depart by 5:00pm)
Santa's elves may close the Santa line up to 1 hour
or longer prior to Santa's break so Santa has plenty
of time to work on his toys.

Get a Fast Pass or check out Santa Claus’ full schedule at DTC

Morven Park Hosts Holiday Festivities

Morven Park welcomes the holiday season with month-long activities, beginning with a Christmas Open House on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Davis Mansion is decked out ‘20s-style Christmas all month. From noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 7, head to the Open House for festive music from local musicians, hot beverages and sweet treats, children’s crafts, and a family portrait in front of the Great Hall’s 17-ft. Christmas tree. $5 per person, free for children under 2.

At the Civil War encampment, reenactors portray soldiers from the 17thMississippi who spent Christmas 1862 at Morven Park. Carriage rides around the Mansion lawn also will be available for an additional charge.

At 6 p.m. Dec. 7, at the encampment visitors can meet the soldiers in candlelit huts, sit by a warm fire, and take a luminary tour through the original encampment site. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

Special tours of the Mansion followed by a formal tea in the upstairs ballroom are offered on Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The tea returns to the traditions of early 20th century America, including a selection of elegant sandwiches and pastries. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance.

For nature lovers, a winter nature walk begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, will be led by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. The hike winds through Morven Park’s fields, past ponds, and along a short trail into the woods, watching for birds and other wildlife that make their homes here for the winter. Participation is free, but registration is required at loudounwildlife.org.

For additional information about any of these events, or to register for events other than the nature walk, visit www.MorvenPark.org or call 703-777-2414.

Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum Holiday Secret Shoppe 

KIDS ONLY! Visit the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum on Saturdays and Sundays, December 7-8, December 14-15 and December 21-22, for KIDS ONLY to shop in the Museum’s Santa’s Secret Shoppe. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m.

Santa's Secret Shoppe offers a selection of gifts under $10. Children can browse Virginia's Finest products, varieties of toys and stuffed animals, specialty soaps, holiday decorations, and other unique gifts for the entire family. Santa's helpers will be available to help children wrap purchases with special bags and ribbons. Since Santa's Secret Shoppe is for kids only, adults can shop in the Museum's regular gift shop. Free with paid Museum admission.

Before heading home, kids can mail postcards to Santa at the North Pole from the Waxpool General Store’s Post Office. 

Briar Woods Toy Drive for Wounded Warriors, Operation Homefront

It’s not too late to contribute to Briar Woods High School’s annual toy drive to benefit children of Wounded Warriors and Operation Homefront. They need new toys around $15 in value to send to operation Homefront for their Christmas party to help benefit children of wounded warriors. The toy drive ends Monday, Dec. 9 and toys can be dropped off in the Briar Woods High School Main Office for Martha Belote or at 21392 Chickacoan Trail Drive in Broadlands.

Middleburg’s Spectacular Christmas In Horse Country

There’s nothing quite like Middleburg’s annual Christmas celebration. Check out traditional Christmas festivities, with the backdrop of a classic hunt country village. Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, with Breakfast with Santa and a silent auction at Middleburg Elementary School.

At 11 a.m., the Middleburg Hunt Review takes to the streets creating a spectacular sight as approximately 100 horses, riders in pink coats and dozens of hounds come through the town. Throughout the day there are hayrides, choir performances, The LCPRCS Craft Fair at the Middleburg Community Center (300 West Washington Street), the Middleburg Garden Club’s Christmas Flower & Greens Show at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, as well as shopping and dining in the town’s shops and restaurants.

The Middleburg Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. Besides floats, troops, antique fire trucks and musical groups, spectators will see horses, llamas, alpacas and dogs. Santa Claus brings up the rear in a horse-drawn coach.

The Middleburg Wine Crawl runs from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., the progressive wine tasting will feature Virginia wines at Middleburg Country Inn, Barrel Oak Tasting Room and Gallery, Home Farm Store, The Wine Cellar, Middleburg Common Grounds, Market Salamander, Goodstone Inn & Restaurant, and Olio Tasting Room. Visit www.ChristmasinMiddleburg.org for a full list of wine crawl stops.

Parking for Christmas in Middleburg costs $5 per vehicle, and is one mile east of town on Rt. 50. Free shuttle service will be provided. For more information call the Pink Box Visitor Center at 540-687-8888 or email Organizer@ChristmasinMiddleburg.org. Visit  www.ChristmasinMiddleburg.org to view an event schedule, list of activities, shop specials, and more. Proceeds from Christmas in Middleburg will benefit Seven Loaves and Middleburg FISH.

Did we miss one of your favorites (I'm sure we missed a few)? Give a shout out in the comments below.